I´d still like to try fillers but am scared!

[motherofthebride]

I never thought I'd be part of this discussion,  being so avowed "natural" and all,  BUT I just met with a colleague,  whom I've know for years.  She is 49 (I am 57).  She looked remarkably good,  and I asked her if she was wearing new makeup.  She told me a few weeks ago she had photo rejuvenating laser for all of the sun damage on her face.  After we talked some more,  she finally 'fessed up that she also had restylane injected around her lips and into the nasolabial folds.  She was numbed,  so it didn't hurt,  but there was some sloughing off from the laser for a few days afterwards.  She said she looked like she had been "beat up."  I couldn't believe how natural she looked.  She used her regular dermatologist,  who had recommended the procedure.  It sounded like the derm worked at another site for the cosmetic stuff.  It certainly was not covered with insurance.  I had never seriously thought about it until now.  I hate the lines around my lips.  She said she paid $500 for the laser,  but wouldn't mention how much for the rest...but intimated that it certainly was not cheap.

[anne]

I did it! I made an appointment!

I do not know if I am going to have Restylane or Juvederm, the derm will decide. He may ask me what I prefer, but how would I know?

The cost was a lot more than I expected, something like 550 $ and if I need more ampulles, it will cost more. (They accept credit cards, I asked.)

Call me mad, but I am really, truly fed up with my naso-labials and the starts of marionette lines at the corners of my mouth. My main problem is, I look angry even when I´m not.

So, my appointment is on 3rd June, in the morning.

I´ll take photos of my mouth area before, after, and later on, when the swelling has gone down, the bruises gone etc.

Now I need to stop taking any Omega 3:s.

Please wish me luck, I do not want to look like a freak afterwards! The nurse already comforted me by saying I´m not doing anything irreversible.

[anne]

p.s. The derm SHOULD be very very good, he´s the one that teaches other doctors in giving filler treatments!

[Tupelo]

Dear anne, brave girl, I do wish you luck and success! As your nurse said, it isn't irreversible - actually, it's temporary! If you hate it, just don't do it again. If you love it, then it''s money well spent just for you! 

[anne]

Dear Tupelo, how on earth could you tell I am scared stiff already?

I feel so stupid, I am going to pay a lot of money for something I am scared of!

I hope, I hope I will be happy with the results....or, at least, that I will not look like a freak, all lumpy and bumpy!

I WILL report faithfully to you!

Your scaredy guinea-pig, Anne

[Poppyfields]

Dear Anne - it would be inhuman to be cavalier about needles or knives to your face the first time.  Very natural reaction.  But this is obviously bothering you a lot, and there is a possible solution for you.  Fortunately this is not new, the doctors have been doing this for years and have helped many clients.   < although you'd think they could drop the price already! >

We'll be pulling for you, gf.  I hope you will be thrilled.  

[Mim]

I had restylane put in my tear trough about 2 years ago.  I felt great but was all sunken in under the eyes.  It made me look tired and old. 
The first trip (it took two visits about 2 weeks apart) I was so nervous that I took valium and had my husband drive me.  It really was not painful - just creepy having a needle that near the eyes.  The second trip I didn't take anything before.
It made a tremendous difference in how I looked - no longer tired.  I think you will be pleased with the results at the corners of your lips.  My sister in law has that done and it makes such a huge difference - happy face not downer  face.
I have not had it done since because I no longer need it. I began using a cream with hyaluronic acid and I am using retin a and  the MD Forte rejuenating eye cream.  That seems to be keeping the area plumped.

[anne]

Mim,

thank you for your encouragement!!

I do not know anyone who has has fillers, well, as far as I know!

So, you sister-in-law had it at the corners or her mouth? How often has she had it re-done? May I ask if she had it in her naso-labial folds or marionette lines at all, or only the very corners of her mouth?

SO happy to hear about two positive experiences!

I am still scared but determined to try it this time. If I am really really satisfied with it, I am sure I could somehow scrape the money for a once-a-year touch-up. If I am unhappy, well, it is reversible, and then I´ll know it is not for me.

[Mim]

I'm not sure how often she has the corners of her mouth touched up.  I'm sure that would vary from person to person anyway.  I don't think she has the naso labial folds done.  That hasn't been a problem for her (that I know of!).

[motherofthebride]

Mim,  what hyaluronic cream are you using?  My skin seems to love the stuff, and I'd rather try that first to see if the plumping effect is enough for me.  The only one I've ever tried is Dermalogica moisture boost.  It's a liquid in a dropper-type bottle.  Not bad,  but I'm open to suggestions.

[Mim]

From vitacost I order the CSI Recovery Eye Cream.  I think it is about $19.00 for a .5 ounce jar which lasts a long time. 
The plastic surgeon who injected the restylane under my eyes recommended and sold the exact same cream  (with his label on the jar)  for over $60.00. He also sold the CSI Super Hyaluronic Moisturizing cream (with his label) - again for over $60.00.  I was so glad when I found the same thing - obviously same manufacturer as the Doctor's product - for so much less because they are both excellent.

[anne]

My appointment will be tomorrow morning. You know, I am happy I made the appintment, and I am happy I am going. I really really hate the weird pits / wrinkles / uneven marionette lines / whatever on my mouth - chin area. They bug me every time I look in the mirror. They make me look far older, crankier and more tired than I am.

I´ll have hubby take photos of them today and will post them in the members only -area. I´ll also have him take photos afterwards.

[Poppyfields]

Good luck tomorrow, Anne.  I hope you will be just as happy with the results as you are with the courage it took to make the appointment. 

Just call me chicken, Poppy

[anne]

Oh boy oh boy oh boy. Bedtime, and I am SO scared!

I asked hubby if he thought I´ll be happy with the results and he said very matter-of-factly, no. He thinks I hate change and am afraid of anything new, so I´ll not be happy with it. I hope he is wrong!! (And I do not appreciate him making such judgment of me, even if I AM the biggest chicken on earth.)

Kluck, kluck (= goodnight in our special chicken language) to you all, I´ll tell you how it was in  about 12 hrs!

[Tupelo]

Anne, I think you waited just long enough. Long enough to risk "not liking" it, in hopes that you will  start liking what you see in the mirror. You really are a brave girl, and I'm glad you're doing this for yourself!